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US 8,419,804 B2Granted
Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity systems
AssigneeiWalk, Inc.
InventorsHugh Miller Herr, Rick Casler, Zhixiu Han
Life of this patent
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AssigneeiWalk, Inc.
InventorsHugh Miller Herr, Rick Casler, Zhixiu Han
Estimating the term…
Hybrid terrain-adaptive lower-extremity apparatus and methods that perform in a variety of different situations by detecting the terrain that is being traversed, and adapting to the detected terrain. In some embodiments, the ability to control the apparatus for each of these situations builds upon five basic capabilities: (1) determining the activity being performed; (2) dynamically controlling the characteristics of the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (3) dynamically driving the apparatus based on the activity that is being performed; (4) determining terrain texture irregularities (e.g., how sticky is the terrain, how slippery is the terrain, is the terrain coarse or smooth, does the terrain have any obstructions, such as rocks) and (5) a mechanical design of the apparatus that can respond to the dynamic control and dynamic drive.
A method for minimizing the effect of accelerometer and rate gyro errors on a lower extremity prosthesis or orthosis comprising a foot member, a lower leg member, and an ankle joint for connecting the foot member to the lower leg member, the method comprising using a controller on the prosthesis or orthosis for:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.